Six Yavapai County teachers received grants through the Fiesta Bowl Charities Wishes for Teachers program, four of whom teach in Cottonwood, Camp Verde and Clarkdale.
The program, presented by the Salt River Project, awards $2,500 to each recipient, who are chosen at random.
A total of $1 million in donations was distributed to 400 teachers across the state.
The funds can be used for any sort of educational improvement within the classroom. This year’s local winners included:
- Heather Gillman, a first-grade teacher at Camp Verde Elementary School. Gillman intends to use the money to provide tablets for her classroom.
- Victoria Ligon, a music teacher at Camp Verde Elementary School. Ligon plans to buy various instruments and composition books so her students can create and compose their own music.
- Erica Mathis, a reading, English and social studies teacher at Clarkdale-Jerome School. Mathis will obtain new technology resources to aid in learning.
- Sarah O’Donnal, a math and science teacher at Mountain View Preparatory in Cottonwood. O’Donnal will purchase stools for her class’s science tables.
Gillman’s classroom currently has a limited number of tablets for the number of students she teaches. The fund will be used to purchase 20 more tablets, allowing her students more time on online learning programs, such as Kahn Academy.
“The fact that Fiesta Bowl charities does this for teachers and the amount of money is phenomenal,” Gillman said. “I get goosebumps just getting to order enough tablets. Every day I just feel like I should say thank you to somebody!”
“It’s almost humbling that this happens because I taught overseas and in the Clark County, Nevada, school district for almost 20 years and never had this,” Ligon said. “In Arizona we have very committed large companies and Fiesta Bowl who have taken the time and the resources to help us. It’s humbling, is what it is. I really appreciate it.”
The program was started in 2016 and so far has distributed $5.7 million to 1,600 teachers, affecting more than 700,000 students statewide.
“Teachers are truly selfless individuals who help shape the futures of our students here in Arizona and we are proud to play a part in supporting our teachers to do more in the classroom for the leaders of tomorrow,” stated Randal Norton, Fiesta Bowl board chairman, in a press release.
The Fiesta Bowl has been a community-centered organization since 1971, driving charitable and economic growth through Arizona non-profit organizations.
K-12 public and charter school teachers can apply for the grant each fall. Visit the Fiesta Bowl website for more information.
